Mackinac Island gets new landing craft

NEWS RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN BART STUPAK

1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

************************* House passes bill investing in transportation infrastructure, housing

Bill includes $1 million for important northern Michigan projects

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation appropriating $50.7 billion for the Transportation Department and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted for the measure, saying it would meet the nation’s needs and include funding for important northern Michigan projects.

“The legislation the House passed today will strengthen our nation’s transportation infrastructure, create jobs, expand housing opportunities for seniors and people with disabilities and fund important projects in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District,” Stupak said.

Stupak noted that the legislation passed by the House would protect the Essential Air Service program, which ensures air service to small and rural communities, like Escanaba, Ironwood and Iron Mountain, Michigan.

“The President’s budget had proposed slashing the Essential Air Service program by 50 percent, resulting in the elimination of air service to nearly one half of the communities that currently receive service,” Stupak noted. “I voted to restore air service, by providing $110 million for the Essential Air Service Program.”

Stupak also noted that the legislation provides funding for the nation’s highway infrastructure, including $40.2 billion to improve and maintain the nation’s aging highway infrastructure.

The amount in the bill is $1.25 billion above 2007 levels and $631 million above the President’s request.

The highway funding is expected to create almost 59,500 jobs across all sectors of the economy.

The President’s budget had also proposed slashing the Community Development Block Grant program, which local communities use to address challenges like affordable housing and economic development.

The bill instead provided $4 billion, or $228 million more than what was appropriated in 2007.

Stupak also praised the housing measures in the bill.

The President’s budget proposes slashing the Section 202 housing program for low-income seniors by $160 million.

The bill instead provides $734.5 million, the same amount that was appropriated for 2007.

“The President has proposed significant cuts in the Section 202 program year after year,” Stupak said. “Yet, there are currently 10 seniors waiting for each senior housing unit that becomes available. I am pleased the bill we passed rejected the President’s proposal to cut funding for senior housing.”

Stupak noted that the legislation also provides over $1 million for important northern Michigan projects:

Pellston Regional Airport - FAA facilities and equipment, Pellston, MI: $600,000

The bill includes funding for a runway braking action testing device that is needed at Pellston to provide accurate field conditions to incoming aircraft.

The funding will also allow a back-up generator to ensure continuous operations of the airfield’s lighting during power outages.

Funding will also go towards terminal expansion to increase the size of the security hold room area to accommodate the larger commercial aircraft that utilize the airport.

“Pellston is a growing airport that provides importantregional service, and this funding will help the airport stay up to date as it grows,” Stupak noted.

Landing Craft for Mackinac Island, Mackinac Island, MI: $300,000

The bill also sets aside $300,000 to acquire a landing craft for Mackinac Island State Park.

The current vessel is old, rapidly deteriorating and very expensive to operate because of mounting repair costs.

“Since the early 1970s, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission has used a landing craft to transport a wide range of materials on and off Mackinac Island,” Stupak said. “This vessel has been an invaluable tool in accomplishing the management goals of this world class park.”

Wakefield Memorial Building Renovation - Wakefield, MI: $150,000

The bill also includes $150,000 for the City of Wakefield to go towards the renovation of the Wakefield Memorial Community building.

This once magnificent building, built as a memorial to World War I veterans in 1924, has served as a popular town gathering place and recreational center.

Since that time, however, the Wakefield Memorial Community Building has fallen into an almost hopeless state of disrepair.

“The City of Wakefield has done a tremendous job of renovating this building and these funds will help push them towards the finish line,” Stupak said.

“These projects will create jobs and support tourism and travel in northern Michigan,” Stupak concluded. “I was happy to see funding for these projects included in the House-passed measure.”

The House passed the bill by a vote of 268 to 153.

The Senate must now take up its version of the transportation, HUD appropriations bill.

While specific projects in the appropriations bill can be challenged at anytime, including during the conference committee process, Stupak pledged to work throughout the process to protect projects in the bill that are important to northern Michigan.

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